“Some time when you have an hour to kill, give me a call and we'll sit down and I'll tell you how this kind-hearted, gentle giant paid for the brick sidewalks at the mini park across from the high-rise.’’

— Warren A. Robinson

—

“Good morning, Jack

“It is my hope that this makes the BEN column in print.

“It's Sunday morning and all is quiet.

“I start reading the BEN column first (as always) and I read the entry by Mr. Feinstein.

“Upon checking my last email to you, it would appear that beside G.Ward’s comments, I may be the other person that Mr. Feinstein referred to

“If that be the case, my remark was not directed to any one person or organization, which I do not care to get into a debate over at this time.

“Please, Mr. Feinstein, I am not interested in starting a war, even one of words.

“I have never had the pleasure of meeting you, sir.

“I hope that will happen some day.

“But, before I end this entry, I want you and the rest of the readers to think about something I have given a lot of thought to while I have been giving personal tours to visitors at the Millville Army Air Museum.

“It concerns the word ‘veteran.’

OWEN GARRISON

“Along a parade route, you see many people.

“Some may have worn a uniform and some may have not.

“So here is how I have come to see it.

“When I talk to a vet, one of the first things that I learn is that some say that they never were in combat, and they don't call themselves veterans.

“I say they are as much a vet as one who had seen combat.

“During the war, if you were in the military, you went where you were sent, and you did the job that was expected of you.

“Now, I know what you’re thinking.

“What about those who never wore a uniform?

“Well, think about this: We won the war, didn't we?

“How did we?

“Did all of those bombers,and fighter planes build themselves and fly themselves to the war?

“How about the ships?

“Did they build themselves, and sail off to the war zones?

“And the list goes on and on.

“Someone had to grow and supply the food that the fighting forces required on land,sea and air.

“So when you take the time and give it thought during the war, combat or not, all thumbs are up

“There were no losers. All were ‘veterans’ I will see at the parade.’’